Ronny Deila has revealed that Celtic are trying to sign Gary Mackay-Steven from Dundee United on a pre-contract agreement.

The 24-year-old winger's current deal at Tannadice ends in the summer.

The Hoops boss refused to confirm that United are looking for £250,000 for the player to move to Parkhead in the current transfer window.

However, Deila, who returned with his squad from the winter training break in Gran Canaria on Wednesday, said: "He is a player we have been looking at for a long time.

"We hope to sign a contract with him into the summer.

"If we can do something now we will do it but everything has its price.

"We haven't talked with him but we have talked to his agent and what we understand is that he is interested in coming to Celtic.

"We have an opportunity to get him under contract from the summer and we will do what we can to arrange it and hopefully it will be arranged in a few days."

While discussing possible new additions to his squad, Deila was also at pains to stress once more that he does not want anyone to leave in the transfer window.

Former Celtic boss Neil Lennon, now manager of Bolton, has admitted his interest in attacking midfielder Kris Commons, whose contract is up at the end of the season, while defender Virgil van Dijk has been linked with a move to England, with Arsenal among the Dutchman's reported suitors.

The Hoops travel to Hamilton tomorrow to face a side which beat them for the first time in 76 years at Parkhead in October.